System and method for an integrated satellite platform

Abstract

A system, method, and computer-readable storage devices for a 6U CubeSat with a magnetometer boom. The example 6U CubeSat can include an on-board computing device connected to an electrical power system, wherein the electrical power system receives power from at least one of a battery and at least one solar panel, a first fluxgate sensor attached to an extendable boom, a release mechanism for extending the extendable boom, at least one second fluxgate sensor fixed within the satellite, an ion neutral mass spectrometer, and a relativistic electron/proton telescope. The on-board computing device can receive data from the first fluxgate sensor, the at least one second fluxgate sensor, the ion neutral mass spectrometer, and the relativistic electron/proton telescope via the bus, and can then process the data via an algorithm to deduce a geophysical signal.

We claim: 
     
       1. A satellite, the satellite comprising:
 an on-board computing device connected to an electrical power system, wherein the electrical power system receives power from at least one of a battery and at least one solar panel; 
 a first fluxgate sensor attached at a distal end of an extendable boom, wherein the extendable boom is contained within the satellite in a retracted position, and wherein the extendable boom is contained outside the satellite in an extended position; 
 a release mechanism for extending the extendable boom; 
 at least one second fluxgate sensor fixed within the satellite; 
 an ion neutral mass spectrometer; and 
 a relativistic electron/proton telescope, 
 wherein the on-board computing device is connected to the first fluxgate sensor, the at least one second fluxgate sensor, the ion neutral mass spectrometer, and the relativistic electron/proton telescope via a bus, 
 wherein the on-board computing device receives data from the first fluxgate sensor, the at least one second fluxgate sensor, the ion neutral mass spectrometer, and the relativistic electron/proton telescope via the bus, and 
 wherein the on-board computing device processes the data via an algorithm to deduce a geophysical signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The satellite of  claim 1 , wherein dimensions of the satellite conform to a 6U CubeSat standard. 
     
     
       3. The satellite of  claim 2 , wherein the dimensions are 10 cm×20 cm×30 cm. 
     
     
       4. The satellite of  claim 1 , the satellite further comprising:
 an antenna, wherein the on-board computing device transmits an indication of the geophysical signal via the antenna. 
 
     
     
       5. The satellite of  claim 1 , wherein the on-board computing device removes noise contributions from the bus while deducing the geophysical signal. 
     
     
       6. The satellite of  claim 1 , wherein the on-board computing device accounts for noise contributions from the bus while deducing the geophysical signal. 
     
     
       7. The satellite of  claim 1 , the satellite further comprising:
 a special services card comprising a printed circuit board that expands a capability of commercial products. 
 
     
     
       8. The satellite of  claim 7 , wherein the special services card further comprises component configure to perform one or more of operations comprising:
 creating custom voltages; providing power switching capabilities; 
 serving as an external components interface; 
 current monitoring; and extending general purpose input/output lines. 
 
     
     
       9. The satellite of  claim 7 , wherein the special service card further comprises at least one inertial measurement unit. 
     
     
       10. The satellite of  claim 9 , wherein the special service card further comprises 4 inertial measurement units configured in a square formation.